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As mentioned in Sharp’s Sunday press conference, the company’s new Aquos-Net LCDs will be able to display limited Web content on screen without the use of a computer, by picking up data transmitted through powerlines to the TV. Since both the 52- and 65-inch versions of these “special edition” LCD displays will be launching in January, I dropped by the Sharp booth to see them in person.
The implementation of the additional menus appears to be quite clean, with the widgets sliding unobtrusively onto the side of the display. The power plug for the TV goes to a separate powerline communication (PLC) box, which in turn plugs into the wall, but there is still only one cable leading to the TV itself, which should be beneficial for low-profile installs. We’ll need to wait for full reviews of the system before we know for sure whether Sharp’s PLC networks are tricky to set up.
While the Aquos Net system will be in place when the TVs ship, at the time I saw it demonstrated, not all the advertised features were yet in place. As you can see from the screenshot below, only weather, stock quotes, time, date and calendar were available. Sharp’s press release makes mention of a photo viewer, live traffic updates, and comic strips as well, all of which a Sharp representative told me would be on the way in the future.
Both units will command top dollar for the enhanced functionality, with the 65-inch model running for $10,999 and the 52-inch model going for $4,199. Of course, a bundle of new features designed to enhance picture quality are also part of that price, so you may want to check one out in the showroom as well.
Message Edited by ntmokey on 01-09-2008 06:41 PM
Message Edited by ntmokey on 01-09-2008 06:43 PM
Message Edited by ntmokey on 01-09-2008 06:43 PM
